Loading device



July 3, 1945. A. R. HENRY w LOADING DEVICE 5 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed June 21, 1943 INVENTOR /7/er/ 71? fife/71y v I I I dz/army July 3, 1945.

A. R. HENRY LOADING DEVICE Filed June 21, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 A. R. HENRY LOADING DEVICE July 3, 1945.

Filed June 21, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR, fierf 7261917134 BY 7 6 fifa/m y A. R. HENRY July 3, 1945.

LOADING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 21, 1943 filakwey July 3, 1945. A, R, HENR 2,379,523

LOADING DEVICE Filed June 21, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR, AYer/ Z? /VeI//y.

Patented July 3, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,3795% LOADING DEVICE Albert R. Henry. Salina, Kans.

Application June 21, 1943, Serial No. 491,717 12 Claims. (.01. 214-139) This invention relates to improvements in a loading device and has particular reference to a loading device mounted on and operable by a standard tractor.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of a loading device including a standard tractor, the power unit of which operates the loader, and the frame of the loader attachment being of closed rectangular form to horizontally encompass the tractor.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a loader frame having vertical guide bars with forwardly projecting upper portions for guiding a boom carrying a bucket whereby the bucket is moved upwardly then upwardly and forwardly to the dumping position.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a loading attachment mounted on and operable by a tractor having a normally flexible frame, said attachment including a rectangular frame adapted to horizontally encompass said tractor, and having a fabricated cross member engaging said flexible tractor frame whereby the tractor frame is 'made rigid and also having a removable end section whereby the'tractor may be horizontally moved from said attachment.

Another object of this invention is the provision of means interconnected with the tractor power-unit whereby the operator may manipulate the a tachment to perform various operations such bulldozing, backfllling, loading, carrying, digging, etc.

Other objects are simplicity,- economy and sturdiness of construction, ease and efficiency of operation and adaptability of use in performing many of the operations necessary for construction work.

, With these as well as other objects, which will ,appear during the course of the specification, in

view, reference will now be had to the drawings,

wherein:

' connections of the loader attachment frame with the tractor frame.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on line Fig. 9 is an enlarged front elevation view of th bucket trip lever mechanism.

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line XI-XI of Fig. 4:

Fig. 12 is an enlarged central sectional view of the cable driving mechanism taken on line XII- X11 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view taken on line XIII-XIII of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14. is a sectional .view taken on line XIVXIV of Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken on line XVXV of Fig. 12 with some parts left in elevation.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line XVIXVI of Fig. 14.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line XVIIXVII of Fig. 7 s wing the bucket operating lever about to enter the pull-rod loop.

Throughout the various views like reference characters refer to similar parts and the numeral:

20 designates a tractor of the caterpillar or crawler type having tracks 22 supporting flexible frame members 24 which in turn'carry the engine and associated parts. The supporting means connecting the engine and associated parts with the framemember 24 includes driving axle 2' adjacent the rear of the tractor and the leaf spring member 28 positioned adjacent the front end pf the tractor.

In normal use this flexible frame construction permits independent raising and lowering of the shaft 32 is provided to propel the tractor in the usual manner. The tractor also has the usual control means whereby the tractor with the attached loader can be manuevered to properly operate the loading attachment.

Referring now to the loading device attach ment which is adapted to be operated by the tractor andhaving connecting means whereby it is removably attached thereto, it will be noted that it comprises a rectangular frame 34 having parallel side rails 36, a fixed crossmember 3|, V-V 5 and a removable rear section member. 40 which by bolts 62.

during the hoisting operation. noted that thelower end of the channels I6 are is adapted to be removed by removing bolts 42 and 44 at each side of the frame. When so removed, and with the frame supported in a horizontal position, it is quite apparent that the tractor may be moved into position between the rails 36 and the rear section member again positioned andbolted so that the frame will completely surround the tractor. The loader frame is supported on the tractor frame 24 by means of a fabricated cross member .46 and bearing plates 48 and 66 which are respectively in front of and at the rear of said fabricated cross member.

Referring to Figs. 4' and 5, it will be noted that the fabricated cross member 46 comprises two similar brackets 52 which are anchored to plates 54 integral with said rails 36 by means of bolts 56. These brackets are also secured to the top face of frame member 24 by bolts 56. These brackets are so constructed and positioned on the tractor that they may be left in position on' the tractor frame when the loading attachment is removed without interfering with the normal operation of the tractor. The cross member 46 is provided with a central section 66 which is securely, bolted to the inner ends of bracket 52 When so positioned, the tractorframes 24 are secured against relative movement and the tractor frame becomes rigid. This feature is very important for the purpose of maintaining the loading attachment and its movable parts in proper alignment during the various operations necessary for loading, bulldozing, carrying, etc. Bearing plates 46 are carried by the forwardly extending extension- 64 of the brackets 52 and simply rest on top of the tractor frames 24. The bearing plates 42 are removably secured to the side 1 115 36 by means of bolts 66.

Extending upwardly from the front end of each of the rails 36 is a vertically disposed guide bar 66 which is anchored to the side rails 36 by means of the diagonally disposed brace members 69.. This guide bar is preferably made of cross sectional channel shape with the channels I6 opening outwardly as clearly shown in Fig. 4.

The lower portion of guide bars 66 are disposed at substantially right angles to side rails 36 while the upper end portions thereof are angled forwardly and upwardly in like manner so as to present two like guide channels. The upper ends of guide bars 68 are joined together by cross member I2 and the cross bar I4 is disposed horizontally between the guide bars 66 intermediate the top and bottom of the guide bars. Vertical standards I6 are positioned between cross member 36 and cross bar 'I4-and are so .constructed as to receive and protect the forward end of the tractor. Diagonal cross braces 16 serve to stabilize the lower portion of the guide bar structure.

Extending between cross bar 14 and cross member I2 are spaced apart verticallydisposed angled bars 66, 6| and 63. All the frame parts except the rear section 46 are preferably welded together or may be riveted, bolted, or otherwise securely attached. A boom 62 is of substantially ll -shape having side arms 64 and a cross header 66. Adjacent and to the rear of header 66 at each side of the boom is a bracket 66' carrying roller 66 which is adapted to travel in the adjacent channels I6 to guide the front end of the It will be closedby flange 62 to prevent the loader from Pins 94, best shown in Figs. 4 and 6 are removably secured to rails 36 by means of bolts 96, and extend outwardly from the rails to pass through slots 98 formed in the rear end portion of side arms 84. These pins being stationary on the frame, it is necessary that the slots 68 be sufli'ciently long to permit the upward movement of the boom without striking the outer end of the side arm. These pins 84 are very rigid in construction and serve as abutments for the side arms when the attachment is operated as a bulldozer or when the bucket carried thereby is being loaded.

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be noted that the roller 60 is out of contact with the walls of the channel I6 when the pin -94 is contacting the inner end of the slot 96, thus preventing excessive loads on the roller construction. Extending forwardly of the boom 82 at each side thereof are arms I66 between which is mounted a bucket I02. This bucketis pivoted to arms I06 at I64 in such a manner that the bucket when loaded and in the raised position tends to tilt forward to release the load.

Latch means for securing the bucket against tilting is best shown in Fig. 3 and comprises a detent I66 welded to the lower rear portion of the bucket and reinforced by means of an angled bar I08 which is secured lengthwise of the bucket. A bracket Ill! secured on the forward face of the cross member 66 serves as one bearing for a rigidly disposed shaft II2, while the other end portion of the shaft is mounted in a bracket II4 which isalso secured to cross member 36. The upper portion of bracket III! is bifurcated to receive latch II6 which is urged forwardly to engage detent I66 by a spring H6 disposed under compression between latch H6 and the bracket Referring now to Figs. 9 and 10, the shaft II2 is provided with an operating device comprising a Y-shaped lever I24 pivotly mounted on said shaft and secured against forward movement by stop bar I26 carried by bracket I26 which is securely mounted on cross member 36. A lever member I36 securely welded to shaft H2 and having a cross bar I32 which normally rests against the rear side of lever I24 serves to cause shaft H2 to oscillate when lever I24 isoperated rearwardly by means of the pull rod I34. Since the latch 6' is welded to shaft H2 and the spring 6 urges the latch forward it is quite apparent that the lever I24 will also be urged to the forward position against stop bar I26.

The principal function of lever I36 is to permit the engaging of the detent I66 by latch- II6 when the bucket is returned to its normal position without moving lever I24.

The pull rod I34 is attached to a slide block I36 mounted on a bar I36 carried by brackets I46 and I42 which in turn are mounted on tubing I44 hereinafter described. Block 136 is also provided with an operating handle I46 by means of which the operator may release the latch H6 and permit the bucket to dump. A cushioning spring I46 mounted'on bar I36 in the path of slide block I36 serves to cushion the pull ofthe operator. It will be noted that the upper end I56 of lever I24 is curved forwardly and has a forwardly projectingflnger I62 for properly positioning the pull rod I34 on the lever. The

means of pilot pull rod I04 has an elongated open loop I04 which is normally positioned as shown in Fig. l to rest on cross bar 14, and projecting outwardly'beyond the guide bar 00. Beveled centeringlugs I serve to maintain the loop I04 in alignment with the upper end of lever I24.

As the boom is raised from its lowered position shown in Fig. 1 the upper end portion I00 of the lever will be threaded into loop I04 and the guide rod will be moved upwardly therewith to take the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. This movement is accomplished without releasing latch IIO so that the operator may release the bucket at his convenience.

The means for resiliently limiting the dropping of the bucket during the dumping operatlon, shown in Fig. 11, comprises a tubing I00 secured to the back side of the bucket and having a spring I00 mounted therein to rest on a bottom ledge I62 with a chain I04 extending therethrough to engage a follow up'block I00. The chain is secured at its outerend to a pin I68 secured to the header 00 so that when the bucket is dropped, chain I04 will be extended and spring I00 compressed thus absorbing the impact of the load. Chains I04 may be shortened or lengthened to vary the discharge angle of the bucket.

Reference will now be had to Figs. 12, l3, l4,

l5 and 16. I

The drive shaft 32 of the tractor motor is controlled by the operator to rotate in either direction and is interconnected with shaft I00 by coupling I00. Housing I02 is rigidly secured to engine housing I04 by means of brackets I00. This housing I62 is vertically partitioned at I00 to form chambers I and I12 .and has a removable top plate I for convenience of installin and adjusting the parts contained therein. Shaft I00 is mounted in bearing I14 and extends into chamber I10 to receive brake drum I10 rotatably mounted thereon. Brake drum I10 also is provided with internal spur gear teeth I10 which mesh with pinions I00 rotatably mounted on'studs I00 carriedby spider I02,

for longitudinal movement on shaft 200 which extends outwardly from housing I02 to receive a lever 202. Interposed between cam 220 and the bearing boss 204 on housing I02 is a compression spring 200. This spring is so wound that when the cams are in the position shown, the spring will be'released so that thebrake band will not clampingly engage the drum I00. However, when the reel operating means is inactive and the cams are rotated to cause them to separate, then the spring 200 will be under compression to urge the brake band 224 against drum I00 with sufficient. force to secure shaft I04 against rotation. The other end of brake band 224 is adjustably secured by means of slide rod 200 and adjusting screw 240. Lever 202 is connected by means of bar 242 to the lower extremity of the hand operated lever 2I4.

It will be noted that the brake band operating mechanisms are so constructed and operated that when brake band 200 is set, brake band 224 will be released and when band 224 is set, band 200 will be released.

This structure allows for proper operation of reel I00 while shaft I00 is being driven by engine shaft 02. Reel I00 ls.provided with a roll of cable; 244 which extends through an opening 240 formed in the wall of housing I12, then upwardly through a tubing 240 which is removably pivoted to ears 200 carried by housing I12 by means of trunions 202. Tube 240 is pivotally mounted by shaft 204 with horizontally disposed tube I44 through ashort tubing 200 whichmormally contacts a fixed collar secured to the tube In. The forward end of tube I44 is pivotally mounted at 202 to arms 204 carried by cross bar 14. Rotatably mounted in bearings 200 carried by bars 0I and 02 is a shaft 200 carrying a drum 210 for rotation therewith. The lower edge of this drum is in tangential alignment with the center. of tubing 200 so that the cable 244 extending over a pulley 212 mounted on shaft 204 will extend longitu dinally through tubing I to wind on drum I'll as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2, l2 and 13. Hellcally which in turn is rigidly mounted on shaft I04 disposed in axial alignment with shaft I00 by I00 extending into a recess formed in shaft I00 and bearings I00, I00 formed in partition I08 and the outer wall of housing.

I02 respectively. Securely mounted on the inner extremity of shaft I00 is a'gear I02 which meshes with the planetary pinions I00 carried by spider I02. x

' Mounted rigidly on shaft I04 in compartment I12 is a dry brake drum I00 and a cable reel I00.

A brake band 200, see Fig. 14, is associated with brake drum I10 and is normallyloose thereon and may be set by'oseillating shaft 202 to move head 204 against th T -head I04 formed on.

brake band control rod 200. The shaft 200 is rotatably mounted in ,a bearing 200 carried by .housing I02 and is provided at its upper end fluted drums 214 are also rigidly mounted on shaft 200 to receive the elevating cables 210. Each of these cables is attached at its one end by means of clamp 210 to cross bar 00. then extends over a pulley 200'which is mounted on. the overhead shaft 202 carried in brackets 204 which in turn are secured to vertical members 00, 0|, 02 and guide standard 10.

The cables 201 are spaced apart so asto engage the load adjacent each of its outer ends to stabilize and prevent side tilting thereof. It is quite apparent that when engine shaft 02 is-being rotated that the operator'through the use of hand The brake drum I00 best shown in Fig. 15 is provided with a brake band m which is shown in the released position; One end of the brake band is'provided with a cam-faced lug 220 which co-acts with .cam 220 secured against rotation lever 2I4 may easily raise or lower the boom toany desired position intermediate its top and bottom limits. The bucket when raised, from the ground may be dumped regardless of its height by simply operating lever I24. If the load has been lifted sufllciently so that lever I24 engages pull rod I04, then the operator may easily operate the bucket trip by grasping and pulling handle The folldwing means is provided to limltthe upward travel of the boom. This means comprises alever 200 pivoted at 200 to a standard 200 carried by guide bar 00. The free end of lever as: is connected by rod m to mind operdisposed M204 is ated lever 2I4. A vertically connected at its one end to the free end of lever 200 and extends through a guide bearing 200 adjacent top of guide bar 00. Ad-

justably mounted on rod 18 is a transversely disposed pin 298 which is adapted to be contacted by means of a spring member 30!! carried by bracket 88. When the parts just described are in the position shown in Fig. 2, the shaft I84 will be secured against rotation so that the boom will be secured in its limited upward position and cannot be caused to travel any further upwardly. The operator may now move lever 2 further forward to operate brake bands 200 and 224 to lower the boom. The tubes 248 and I44 with their hinged connections to the stationary parts not only function to compensate for the spring movement of the forward end of the tractor but also serve as a housing for the moving parts and to brace the cable carrying parts.

It is to be understood that the engine control means of the tractor remains in constant operboom at any predetermined point of its vertical travel.

3. A loading attachment adapted to be mounted on and operated by a tractor, comprising a horizontally disposed closed loading attachment frame adapted to horizontally encompass said entire tractor and to be removably attached inable position and that the only extra lever re-' Y quired to operate the loading attachment is the hand operated lever 2 so that when the loading attachment is removed as previously described, the tractor is in condition for immediate general use.

The raising, dumping and lowering of the bucket I02 has been described and it is quite apparent that after the bucket is dumped it may be lowered to contact the ground then the tractor is manipulated to return the bucket to the latched position as shown in Fig. 1. When so positioned the bucket may be filled by simply driving the tractor forward.

While the device has been shown with abucket, it is the intention of the applicant to utilize this same attachment for bulldozing, backfllling, etc.

by installing a blade in the place of the bucket. When so altered it will be notedthat the principal load will be transmitted through arms 84 to pins 94 and since these pins are located adjacent the rearward end of the tractor, a very effectlve hitch is obtained, since the forward end ofthe tractor will not have a tendency to be raised upwardly. A

From the above detailed description of the invention, it is believed that the construction and operation thereof will at once be apparent and while there is herein shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is nevertheless to be understood that minor changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and'scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is: l. A loading attachment adapted to be mounted on and operated by a tractor, comprising a closed frame adapted to encompass a power tractor and to be removably attached thereto, vertically disposed guides fixedly secured to said frame, a boom shiftably mounted adjacent its forward end in said-guides and slidably mounted at its rear end on pins carried by said frame, means for elevating said boom along said guides as it slides along said pins.

. 2. A loading attachmentadapted to be mounted on and operated by a tractor, comprising a closed, horizontally disposed frame adapted to encompass the tractor and to be removably attached thereto, vertically disposed guides fixedly secured to said frame and having their upper termediate its ends thereto, guide bars having their lower end portions secured in right angled relation to said frame and their upper portions inclined upwardly and outwardly therefrom, a boom shiftably mounted at its forward end on said guides and slidably mounted at its rear end on pins carried by said frame, and means operable by said tractor to elevateand move forwardly said boom along said guide bars as the rear end thereof slides along said pins.

4. A loading attachment adapted to be mounted on and operated by a tractor, comprising a horizontally disposed frame removably attached to said tractor, guide bars having their lower end portions secured in substantially right angled relation to said frame and their upper portions inclined upwardly and outwardly therefrom, a boom shiftably mounted at its forward end on said guides and slidably mounted at its rear end on pins carried by said frame, means operable by said tractor to elevate and move forwardly said boom along said guide bars as the rear end thereof slides along said pins, means to automatically limit the height of elevation of said boom a bucket carried at the outer end of said boom, latching means to normally secure said bucket in the upright position, and means adjacent the rear-end of said boom operable to reboom shiftably mounted at its forward end on said guides and'slidably mounted at its rear end on pins carried by said frame, means operable by said tractor to elevate and move forwardly said boom along said guide bars as the rear end thereof slides along said pins, and means to automatically limit the height of elevation of said boom, a bucket carried at the outer end of said boom,

' latching means to. normally secure said bucket end portions formed to extend outwardly from said frame, a boom shiftably mounted at its forward end in. said guides and slidably mounted at its rear end on pins carriedby said frame, and

means operable by the power unit of said tractor to elevatesaid boom along said guides as it slides along said D 15, and mean to secure said.

. latching means in the upright position, and means adjacent the rear end of saidboom, operable to release said to permit the dumping of said bucket.

6. A loading attachment adapted to bemounted on and operated by a tractor. comprising a 7 closed frame adapted to horizontally encompass said tractor and having a removable end portion whereby the tractor may be moved bodily and horizontally from said frame, vertically disposed guides secured to the forward endoi said frame, and having their upper end portions curved forwardly and upwardly. a boom shiftabl mounted at its forward end in said guides, and mountedat its rear ends on pins anchored to said frame, a bucket tiltably mounted on the outer end of said boom, latch means adapted to normally secure the bucket in the loading position, meansfor elevating said boom along said guides, and manually operable means to release said bucket adapted to move in the grooves of said guide bars,

.lal'chwhen the bucket is inv the raised position whereby the load is dumped.

7. The combination with a tractor having a normally flexible frame and a power unit, of a loading attachment including a frame adapted to horizontally encompass the tractor and having a cross member secured to the flexible tractor frame whereby the tractor frame is made nonfiexible, a boom adjustably carried by said loading attachment frame, and means driven by said tractor power unit whereby said boom is adjusted.

8. The combination with a tractor of the caterpillar type having a normally flexible frame, of a loading attachment including a frame adapted to horizontally encompass the tractor and hawing a cross'member intermediate its end portions secured to the flexible tractor frame whereby the tractor frame is made rigid, a removable end section at one end or said frame whereby the loading attachment may be moved from said tractor. 9. The combination with a tractor havingnormally flexible frame and a power unit, of a loading attachment including a frame adapted to horizontally encompass the tractor and having a cross member secured to the flexible tractor zontally encompass said tractor frame, vertically disposed grooved guide bars having forwardly and upwardly extending upper portions and being ecured at their lower ends to the forward end of said rectangular frame, a boom slidablvmounted" at its rear portion on said rectangular frame v and provided at its front portion with-rollers horizontally reand means operable by said tractor power unit to raise the front end of said boom whereby it is caused toraise vertically, then forwardly and vertically as the boom rollers travel in said guide bars.

11." A loading attachment adapted to be mounted on and operated byatractor, comprising a closed frame adapted to horizontally encompass said tractor and having a removable end portion whereby the tractor may be moved horizontally from said frame, vertically disposed guides secured to the forward end of said frame, and having their upper end portions curved forwardly and upwardly, a boom shiftably mounted at its forward end in said guides, and mounted at its rear ends on pins anchored to said fram a bucket tiltably mounted on the outer end of id boom, latch means adapted to normally secure the bucket in the loadingposition, means operated by said tractor, including hingedly mounted tubings for supporting and housing an operating cable extending from the rear to the front of the tractor; for elevating said boom, and manually operable means to release saidbucket latch when the bucket is in the raised position.

12. A loading attachment adapted to be mounted on and operated by a tractor, comprising a .closed frame adapted to horizontally encompass said tractor and having a removable end portion whereby the tractor may be moved horizontally from said frame, vertically disposed guides secured to the forward end ofsaid frame, and hav- I ing their upper end portions inclined forwardly and upwardly, a boom rear ends on pins anchored I to said frame, a bucket tiltably mounted on theouter end of said boom, latch means adapted to normally secure the bucket inthe loading position, means operated by said tractor, including hingedly mounted tubings for supporting and housing an operatingcable extending from the rear to the front of the tractor, for elevating said boom, and manaally operable meansto release said bucket latch shiftably mounted at *it's" forward end in said guides, and mounted at its 

